Exodus 16
The Lord spoke to Moses and said, “I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning, you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’” (vss. 11 & 12)
As I was picking raspberries in the early morning hours, I heard the sheep and goats at a farm not so far away. What a conversation they were having! Occasionally a rooster would crow its mighty song. The farmer and family who own the sheep, goats, chickens, and cows do not keep a neat farm—it’s messy and it stinks. The noise and smells of the animals annoy some folks around here. But as I listened this morning to the farm sounds near our home in Wenatchee, I was thankful to those farm folks who raise those animals for food for the families around here, for their willingness to be themselves, and for reminding me of the farm where I once lived.
I lived in Kansas and Dad was a farmer. We raised cattle and pigs and had chickens. Dad worked so hard to make enough money from the land to feed us. Mother baked our bread and prepared our meals, cleaned house and barn. The stories I had as a child there are numerous. But we always had food on the table and a welcoming home. I give God thanks for that, too!
I also give thanks to God for all land and its fruitfulness. I give thanks for those who bend their backs to pick the berries, harvest the vegetables, and do the hard labor of picking fruit and planting crops. It is hard work. The work must go on even in the very hot sun, a soaking rain, or a frost-covered morning. Most of us forget the process that precedes our buying the produce in the stores or at the roadside stands. Have you thanked God for the wonders of our world and the food God provides? Have you recently said thanks to those who labor for our food? This Labor Day weekend, we say thanks to all who labor and toil in so many industries and physical jobs to make our lives better.
Prayer: Thank you God of all that is. Thank you for daily food, for fresh raspberries, and for supplying all our needs. Thank you for those who labor in the field or factory or plant so that all of your creation may have their daily needs fulfilled. Thank you God! Amen.
Song: “We Plow the Fields and Scatter” by Matthias Claudius - ELW 681